336 LIFE-HISTORIES OF F.IRDS 



supply is obtained with but a trilling outlay of 

 physical strength. The following insects constitute 

 no mean part of its dietary \--Musca domestica, 

 Stomoxys cahi trans, Tabanns lineola, Tipula tri- 

 color, Syrphus obscurus, S. obliqnus, S. cuuericanus 

 S, politus, Culcx {(cniorJiynchus, and Anopheles 

 quadrimaculcttus, among diptera, and during the 

 breeding-season, the larva: of Eujitchia ribearia 

 Anisopteryx vernata, A. poinetaria, Zercne cate- 

 naria, Emwnios subsignaria, Chcerodes transversata, 

 Gortyna zees, Co lias p kilo dice, T keel a hunnUi, An- 

 chyloperafragarite, Utetheisa be Ha, Hale si do la tes- 

 sellaris, and mature forms of Noctuida and Tineida 

 which are also fed to their young; besides, aphides, 

 and small beetles. The seeds of grasses of last 

 year's growth, and later the berries of Juniperus 

 Virginiana, Fragaria Virginiana, Rub us villosus, 

 R. strigosus, and the seeds of Cirsium altissinnun, 

 C. discolor, C canadensis, the common salad, and 

 various species of aster and solidago among com- 

 posite plants, and Pauicum, Aira, Pqa, Triticum 

 vulgare, and Sccalc cereale, among graminaceous 

 plants. The stamens and ovaries of blossoms, 

 and various buds are also eagerly eaten. 



The flight of this species is low, moderately 

 rapid, and in graceful undulations. In gleaning 

 for food it confines itself to bushes and low trees. 

 It is sometimes terrestrial. While perched upon a 

 weed or bush, we have observed its capture of 

 insects upon the wing with considerable dexterity. 

 Its general movements are characterized by won- 

 derful agility. 



